Vail Town Council Meeting Highlights
This is an unofficial summary of the meeting produced by the Communications Department. To read the official minutes please click here. Minutes are posted once they are approved.
Council Members Present
Afternoon: Biszantz, Chapin, Coggin, Davis, Phillips, Seibert, Staufer
Evening: Biszantz, Chapin, Coggin, Davis, Phillips, Seibert, Staufer
Presentations/Discussion/Announcements
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Enhanced Transit Update
- The town completed a route optimization transit plan in July to determine how to best meet goals in the Town Council Strategic Plan and address the needs of new local housing developments currently being constructed. Over the past two months, staff has worked with a scheduling consultant to schedule and roster recommended route changes and then applied actual costs for service. Council was supportive of implementing the full enhanced transit plan, budgeting $235,000 in 2026 and $315,000 to $350,000 in years 2027 through 2030, as well as applying 2026 surplus state grant funds toward a matching grant for a new electric bus.
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Public Works Bus Barn Fire Sprinkler Update
- The existing fire sprinkler system in the bus barn is not adequate to suppress a battery fire should it occur in one of the electric buses. Staff has received an updated proposal that is now within budget and could move forward this year. Council was supportive.
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Town Manager's Proposed Budget Draft Discussion
- Staff presented a draft 2026 budget including revenue and expenditures for all town funds; a summary of changes in personnel; funding recommendations for Council contributions; and a five-year capital plan. The draft budget was developed incorporating Town Council feedback received during several previous discussions. As proposed, the town’s 2026 budget would be funded by a projected $141.9 million of net revenue budget across all of the town’s funds. Excluding one-time revenues, net revenues total $106.2 million. This represents a 2.3% decrease from the 2025 forecast and a 7.1% decrease from 2024 actuals due to a projected decrease in investment earnings along a decrease in grant funding. Across all funds, 2026 net expenditures are proposed at $136.6 million, which can be grouped into three main categories: $81.8 million or 60% for municipal services; $48.9 million or 36% for capital expenditures; and $5.8 million or 4% for debt service. More information will be provided regarding an Energy Performance Contract and feedback regarding Council contributions will be incorporated prior to the first reading of the budget ordinance, scheduled for Nov. 4.
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Car Share Program Update
- Staff provided additional details and addressed questions and requests that arose during the Oct. 7 Town Council meeting regarding proposals for a car share program. Staff will move forward with a contract with Zip Car, which will come back to the Council along with a budget adjustment for final approval.
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Single Use Plastics Reduction Update
- Following a presentation on Sept. 2 regarding a potential single-use plastics reduction policy and proposed business and community program support elements, Council requested a multi-year program plan and budget to reduce single-use plastics, with potential policy consideration in the future. Staff presented several potential measures, with Council supportive of investing in ongoing education and the addition of water bottle filling stations.
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Impact Grant Discussion
- The town has been invited to join a regional group of municipalities and counties, including Aspen, Pitkin County, Avon, Eagle County, Eagle, Minturn and others to apply for up to $2 million in grant funding, $250,000 of which would be directly available to Vail residents and building owners to make upgrades and improve efficiency in local homes and buildings. In the evening, Council approved a letter of support.
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Discussion on Eating and Drinking Establishment Code Amendments
- Staff presented proposed amendments to Title 12 of the Vail Town Code to add new sections limiting the conversion of existing eating and drinking establishments to any other use in certain areas of town. The amendments will go in front of the Planning and Environmental Commission for a recommendation and then back to Town Council on Nov. 4.
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Arrive Vail Discussion
- After seeing the latest presentation, Council is interested in moving forward with Phase III and development of schematic design, as well as exploring a design for the potential move of municipal services to the site. Staff will return to Council on Nov. 4 to seek approval for a Phase III contract award.
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Contract Award to Apex Rockfall Mitigation for Rock Fall Mitigation
- Staff gave an update on rockfall mitigation needed above Lions Ridge Loop and is recommending moving forward with a contract with APEX Rockfall Mitigation. Council was supportive.
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Discussion on Resolution No. 50, Amendments to the Vail Village Master Plan
- The applicant is requesting an amendment to the Vail Village Master Plan to articulate the development goals and objectives of a future redevelopment of the Red Lion Building. On Oct. 13, the Planning and Environmental Commission forwarded a recommendation of approval to the Town Council. The resolution passed with Staufer against and Biszantz abstained.
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Discussion on Ord. No. 22, Regarding Unlawfully Disobeying Peace Officers
- The Vail Police Department is requesting an amendment to the Vail Town Code based on recent case law that applies to the lawful requests of a person to identify themselves to peace officers. Council was supportive.
Town Manager Report
- Town Manager Russell Forrest indicated there is an update on the town’s three big construction projects: Dobson Arena, Timber Ridge Village and Southface Vail, in his written report. Also, work at the Rodeo Rink in Eagle is progressing on schedule.
Actions as a Result of Executive Session
- There were no actions as a result of executive session.
Actions/Decisions
- Approved Resolution No. 46, Support of Ballot Issue 1A (7-0)
- Approved Resolution No. 47, Support of Ballot Issue 6A (7-0)
- Approved Resolution No. 48, Intergovernmental Agreement between the Town of Vail and the Eagle River Water and Sanitation District regarding the Construction of a Sanitary Sewer Main within East Lionshead Circle and as a Part of the Dobson Ice Arena Remodel Project (7-0)
- Approved Resolution No. 49, Memorandum of Understanding between the Colorado State Patrol and the Vail Police Department for Commercial Motor Vehicle Inspections (7-0)
- Approved Resolution No. 51, Committing $3 million to Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley toward the Purchase of Homes in Timber Ridge Village (7-0)
- Approved Contract Award to Specialized Land Management for Mechanical Fuels Reduction on the Booth Creek Fuels Project (7-0)
- Approved Contract Award to Hyder Construction for Public Works Fire Sprinkler System (7-0)
- Approved Letter of Support for Colorado Energy Office Impact Accelerator Grant (7-0)
- Approved Contract Award to Apex Rockfall Mitigation for Rock Fall Mitigation (7-0)
- Approved Resolution No. 50, Amendments to Section V, Goals, Objectives, Policies, and Action Steps, and Section VII, Vail Village Sub-Areas, Commercial Core I, Sub-Areas #3, of the Vail Village Master Plan (5-1-1, Staufer against, Biszantz abstained)
- Approved Ord. No. 21, First Reading, Amending Chapter 13 of Title 7 of the Vail Town Code Regarding Designated Loading and Delivery Areas (7-0)
- Approved Ord. No. 22, First Reading, Amending Chapter 3 of Title 6 of the Vail Town Code, Regarding Unlawfully Disobeying Peace Officers (7-0)
- Approved Ord. No. 23, First Reading, Authorizing the Sale of Certain Real Property Known as Pitkin Creek Park Condominium Unit 3B at a Proposed Sales Price of $500,000 (7-0)
- Approved Ord. No. 19, Second Reading, Adopting by Reference the Model Traffic Code for Colorado, 2024 Edition (7-0)
- Approved Ord. No. 20, Second Reading, Amending the Employee Housing Unit Exchange Program (7-0)
Public Comment
- As part of the High Five Media Day proclamation, Executive Director JK Perry thanked the Town Council for its support.
- Rick Sackbauer indicated snowmaking is now underway at Golden Peak, allowing for some early season training for Ski and Snowboard Club Vail.
- Tim McMahon asked about the emergency action plan for when I-70 closes. He asked about the possibility of a later Core Transit bus leaving Vail. He also encouraged everyone to vote.
- Ian Grask announced an upcoming Speak Up, Reach Out event, and an event at the Bookworm. He also encouraged everyone to vote.
- Regarding Resolution No. 46, Tim McMahon spoke in support of ballot issue 2A.
- Regarding Resolution No. 46, Sasha Hickox spoke against ballot issue 2A.
- Regarding Resolution No. 46, Zach Meyers spoke against ballot issue 2A.
- Regarding Resolution No. 47, Brian Thompson spoke in support of ballot issue 6A.
- Regarding Resolution No. 46, Magda King spoke against ballot issue 2A.
- As part of the discussion on Resolution No. 50, Scott Redner spoke in favor of the proposed amendments.
- As part of the discussion on Ord. No. 22, Tim McMahon asked when identification is required.
- As part of the public hearing on Ord. No. 19, Tim McMahon asked if it has any applicability to e-bikes.
Upcoming Town Council Meetings/Activities
- Vail Town Council Meeting, Nov. 4
- Election Night, Nov. 4
- Vail Town Council Meeting, Nov. 18
Resources
The Vail Town Council meets the first and third Tuesday of each month. Join us for public comment at 6 p.m. Public hearing and comment opportunities are also noted on the agendas.
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